Comments

How about we require that the swimmer tow the support boat? Also, if the swimmer doesn't make certain goals within the swim (such as reach point X by such-and-such a time), we taser them - not enough to paralyze them, but just enough to make all movements spastic.No need to thank me - just trying to help.

-LBJ

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T.S. Eliot

Also, kicks to the head during feeds. That's if feeds are to be allowed at all. And the introduction of a minimum one random Torture Swim Challenge every hour, the worst of which at Cork Distance Week is generally agreed to be a close-up of @Ned's bare arse instead of a feed.

Towing the boat is something I am working on as it rids the need of an escort or coming ashore. But it splits every swim into a staged journey or even disqualifies for resting .

I like an idea to cross the channel on the given date regardless of weather , and Non stop coastal relays. Swimming in bad tides and rough weather. Like spending a few hours stuck in a tide race, you get nowhere but the swimming is unreal.

Forrest Nelson did a Catalina crossing on December 28, 2009, which was pretty badass.

As a variation on @Haydn's "no escort" idea, there's a self-navigated swim. Meaning, the swimmer has an escort boat for safety, but the boat stays behind the swimmer, and the swimmer is responsible for navigating.

That's a great idea, but it is still too easy to abandon a swim just by getting on board. But can you imagine swimming the EC that way. Having to choose your own tide management and drift, even how close you get to the passing tanker. I love it. And just imagine , whichever side you breathe , you don't get to see the boat. Bet you couldn't get a pilot to agree to do it though. And swimming straight ahead, now there's a new challenge. You would have to wear your own compass. Gosh, the more I think of it, the more I like the idea.

Interesting. I was just about to post a mini-report of swimming to C-buoy off La Jolla, which is out at sea and generally not visible from the water level at B-buoy. A 4 mile route is Cove to A to B to C to the Pier, then straight back to the Cove. Or just Vallecitos to C and back.

Years ago I proposed a tanker ship diver training class to South Enders and didn't get enough of a response to put it on...this was before I faced my demons on some longer swims.....but by watching the aveage speed of the tankers (they are moving pretty fast actually) I think the calcualtion was they would pass within 45 seconds which would mean a dive in front say 20 seconds down and under the keel far enough not to get sucked into the prop and stay there for 45 seconds and then back up for a total of say a minute thirty....wouldn't you want to have an a Certified Tanker Ship Diver sticker on you sweatshirt....great for conversations!!!